Magnetoelectric effect in antiferromagnetic multiferroic Pb(Fe1/2Nb1/2)O3 and its solid solutions with PbTiO3

Antiferromagnets (AFMs) are presently considered as promising materials for applications in spintronics and random access memories due to the robustness of information stored in the AFM state against perturbing magnetic fields. In this respect, AFM multiferroics may be attractive alternatives for conventional AFMs as the coupling of magnetism with ferroelectricity (magnetoelectric effect) offers an elegant possibility of electric-field control and switching of AFM domains. Here we report the results of comprehensive experimental and theoretical investigations of the quadratic magnetoelectric (ME) effect in single crystals and highly resistive ceramics of $\mathrm{Pb}(\mathrm{F}{\mathrm{e}}_…